Two Wheels Good, Four Wheels Bad

Sunday, October 9, 2016

Depend on preferences. If you plan to snow ski, obviously winter season is the time to go. The coldest period is between mid January to mid February. Activities such as winter festivals, cruise ride (iceberg) and watching monkeys enjoy hot spring are some of the highlights during winter. Due to dangerous road condition during winter, self-drive road trip is strongly discouraged. All other seasons such as autumn, self-drive road trip may be the best option. Hokkaido road is excellent to drive (other than winter). If you are planning for a road trip in Hokkaido, following article gives you some ideas what you can do during the autumn.

Nissan March

Why Self-drive Road Trip?

(a) Sleep late;

(b) Select your choice of activities;

(c) Enjoy the foods you love;

(d) Hate being forced to buy useless stuffs from pushy tour guides;

(e) Enjoy freedom

(f) Hokkaido road conditions and infrastructures are excellent. Japanese drivers are gracious and safety conscious.

What you need to rent a car and drive in Japan?

(a) Good mobile data plan,

(b) Google Map apps,

(c) Valid driving license (home country)

(d) International driving license

Cost comparison between self-drive road trip and tour aganecy

A 7 to 9 days Hokkaido holidays organized by tour agencies easily cost between $3,500 to $4,500 per person. The prices usually exclude optional activities and food in some days. The actual time spend on "real" tour activities (other than visit shops that no locals will patronize) are lesser too. On the other hand, a 9 days self-drive Hokkaido road trip only cost approximately $2,600 per person (all-in). It includes airfares, hotels, car rentals, gas, toll, food, shopping, contingencies and all attraction entry fees. Read on if you think self-service road trip is for you.

How should I budget Hokkaido Self-Drive Road Trip?

Following illustrates the actual cost for 3 adults, 9 days Hokkaido Self-Drive Rod Trip (27 September to 5 October 2016):

Total cost for 3 adults was $7,633, worked out to be only $2,544 per person. We did not include travel insurance because we were covered by yearly worldwide travel insurance plan. If you include travel insurance cost, it only add another $230 (family of 3) to the budget. The big ticket items are airfares and hotels (Table). Total cost can be reduced by opting for budget airlines and cheaper hotels.

Nissan March Rear Boot

Some hotels carpark can only accommodate small cars (not higher than 1.55m height)

What car to rent?

Depends on family size, I would recommend small car for 2-3 adults, mid-size car for 4 adults, and bigger car for 5 or more adults. Japan is a 'mini' country, meaning most things they built are mini size. Rooms, toilets, carpark and road are relatively small. Given a choice, a small 4WD car is all you need. Most roads speed limit between 40km/hr to 50km/hr. Highway speed limit 80km/hr but most cars travel around 110-120km/hr. My preferred choice is fuel efficient auto-gear 4WD Nissan March. Powerful enough to carry 3 adults, 3 large luggage and many smaller bags. It traveled 120km/hr on highway and climb mountains with ease. The car is fuel efficient, cost only $67.74 for the whole 9 days road trip. The car is spacious and easy to maneuver. Nine days car rental including comprehensive insurance (zero access) cost $842.42, which translates into $93.60 per day. We used Times Car Rental, booked online via Tabirai Japan.

What other considerations when self-drive?

(a) International Driving License

Get an International Driving License from AA Singapore and bring along your Singapore driving license. You need both licenses for car rental and drive on Japan roads. I suggest a backup driver for contingency purpose.

(b) GPS

Since most of us don't understand Japanese, GPS is a must to move around Japan. Forget about English GPS provided by car rental companies, most search functions and road names had limited English names and required Japanese input. We recommend good mobile data plan and Google Map. We bought $45 pre-paid 7.5GB data SIM card (15 days validity) from JTB at Takashimaya. More than enough to post photos on Facebook, WhatsApp and used Google Map for the whole trip. We bought another $35 pre-paid 3GB data SIM card (9 days validity) for my son, and used hot-spot for my wife mobile phone.

Petrol Price in Japan

(c) Petrol

Gas stations readily available all over Hokkaido. Regular fuel cost about $1.65 per litre, relatively cheap compared to Singapore. Gas stations accept both credit cards and cash. At times, you need pump attendants help, as the instruction and signage were confusing to someone who knew nothing about Japanese. All pump attendants were exceptionally helpful and courteous. Very impressed by their service level.

Highway Toll in Japan

(d) Highway Toll

If you have time to burn and unwilling to spend more money, avoid highway as the toll could be expensive. Personally, I preferred the convenience and peace of mind that highway provides. The highest highway toll we paid was a 3 hours drive from Hell Valley to Furano, which cost about $50. In general, highway toll ranges from $10 to $45 depending on distance traveled and locations. The local usually use ETC card to drive pass the toll gate, similar to our ERP system. For tourists like us, pick up the ticket at the start of toll gate and pay cash (to the staff) at the end of toll gate. In some sections, you paid cash directly to the highway staff at the beginning of the toll gate before the journey.

Open Car Park at Hokkaido

(e) Parking

Hotels in sub-urban usually provides free parking, while those located at city centre usually charged a fee for overnight parking. Hotel parking fee usually allowed multiple entries within the same day. It could range from $10 to $18 per day. Public parking cost about $1.35 for 30mins, depending on location. Some elevator type of car parks only accommodate small cars with 1.55m height limit.

The Hokkaido Self-Drive Road Trip (27 Sep to 5 Oct 2016)

We recommend the following travel plan - pretty spot on and within budget.

Hokkaido Road Trip

DAY 01

We flew Japan Airline, very impressed with the service on board. Seats were more spacious than SIA, and Japanese bento meal was awesome. Luggage check-in (max 23kg per passenger) and collection were fast and hassle free. Transferred at Tokyo Haneda Airport to Hakodate. Arrived at Hakodate Airport around 9.10am. Check-in pre-booked Times Car Rental at the airport. The staff from Car Times Rental ferried us via bus to their office to pick up the rental car. All settled and ready to start our road trip at 10.30am. Everything ran according to plan. Thanks to the efficiency of the Japanese.

Japan Airline

Car Times Rental

(1) The Hakodate City Tropical Botanical Garden

Once we pick up the car at around 10.30am, we drove straight to the Tropical Botanical Garden to watch the infamous monkeys. Just a 10 minutes drive from the airport, and free parking at the entrance. Unfortunately, the monkeys only dipped into the hot spring during winter. We only saw monkeys lazing around the captivity. Entry fee around $5 per person. A mini-size Garden by the Bay (green house) and a kid's pool located just next to the Monkeys captivity.

The Hakodate City Tropical Botanical Garden

(2) Best Burger in Japan

We spent about one hour at the Tropical Botanical Garden, and proceed to the city centre for lunch. Did some research about best food in Hakodate, and was surprised beef burger came in top of the list. The recommended burger restaurant was located at 23-18 Suehirocho, Hakodate 040-0053. Found out later it was a chain burger restaurants. The burgers were pretty good, "real' Hokkaido beef patty and generous fresh lettuce. The most popular dish was cheese fries. Prices similar to conventional burger chains in Singapore.

Burger Restaurant at Hakodate

Hakodate Burger

(3) Hakodate Bay Areas Shopping
After lunch, we shop at the old warehouse converted mall along the canal and seaside. The temptation of Japanese snacks and ice cream were too hard to resist. Went for another round of food trails in the afternoon.

Shops at Hakodate

After having a good doze of shopping and snacking, we drove about 5 minutes to Hotel Hakodateyam and check-in around 3pm. Settled down, refreshed and took a good rest after the long flight and short tour. Dinner time, we drove 5 minutes to town area for Ramen at Ajisai (Kurenai 12-7 Toyokawacho). Our first Ramen since landed in Japan. The standard was ok, price about the same as Singapore. After dinner, we went back to hotel and walked over to Motomachi Ropeway for our last stop of the day, Mount Hakodate.

Ramen at Hakodate

(4) Mount Hakodate

15 minutes walk from the hotel to Motomachi Ropeway. The cable car fee approximately $16 per person. The night view was spectacular but the experience could be better. The cable car and mountain top were congested with bus loads of local and overseas tourists. Did not stay long at the top, decided to return next morning to experience day view. Mount Hakodate can be accessed by car during day time, but closed for private cars during the night. The only ways to go up at night was by cable car, taxi or bus.

Motomachi Ropeway

Mount Hakodate Night View

Mount Hakodate Day View

DAY 2

(5) Hakodate Russian Orthodox Church

Had our breakfast in the hotel and took a stroll to the Hakodate Russian Orthodox Church. Along the way, we enjoyed the greenery, old architectural houses and churches. Japanese students rode bicycles to schools and old folks walked the dogs along the greenery street. Peaceful and therapeutic.

Street at Hakodate

One of the entrance to the Hakodate Russian Church

Hakodate Russian Orthodox Church

(6) Hakodate Morning Market

Hakodate Morning Market, one of the highlights in our road trip. Just 10 minutes drive from the hotel. Most of the shops in the morning market sell the same items, and prices were quite similar. You pick the live seafood (E.g. Giant crabs) and get them to cook on the spot. Prices include cooking.

Hakodate Morning Market

The Giant Crab cost $100 per kg. A medium size crab weigh approximately 2.5kg and cost around $250. Many ways to eat the crab: raw, steam and barbecue. We bought a 2.69kg medium size crab and asked the chef to cook all 3 styles. The bulk of our food budget went into this giant crab, worth every single cent. The Japanese did not like to bargain, especially the older folks.

Giant Crab 10,000yen per Kg

Steam and Barbeque Crab

Raw Crab

(7) Fort Goryokaku

Continue our journey, drove 20 minutes from Hakodate Morning Market to Fort Goryokaku. Public car park (chargeable) is just 10 minutes walk to the fort entrance. Fort Goryokaku was designed by Takeda Ayasaburo in 1855. The designer copied the star-shape design from French, to improve combat superiority over the enemies. The fort was built to protect the Tsugaru Strait against potential invasion by the Russians. Entry fee about S$12 per person.

Fort Goryokaku Map

Takeda Ayasaburō

Fort Goryokaku Entrance

(8) Lake Toya

After Fort Goryokaku, we drove about 2.5 hours to Lake Toya via toll highway ($55 toll fee). The drive was smooth and stress free. Arrived at Hotel Grand Toya around 5pm, just in time for dinner. Fortunately we booked a Japanese room, and was assigned an absolute lake front facing room. One thing to note, the street restaurants at Lake Toya closed in the morning. Good luck to those who did not book hotel breakfast.

Japanese Room Hotel Grand Toya

Lake Toya View from Hotel Room

Lake Toya Sunset

Lake Toya Sunrise

Restaurants at Lake Toya usually opened at 6pm for dinner. We randomly walked into one of the street ramen restaurants. Price was standard (850yen to 1150yen), and quality consistently good. When the night fall, we strolled along the lake and stopped at an outdoor public hot spring to enjoy hot foot bath while waiting for 8.45pm fire work. The fire works was fired from a moving boat and lasted more than 10 minutes. Besides watching the fire works from lake front, you can watch it from moving ferry (chargeable). Lake Toya was one of our most memorable stay in Hokkaido.

Fire Work at Lake Toya

DAY 3

(9) Sobetsu Fruit Farm

After breakfast, we check-out the hotel and head straight to Sobetsu Fruit Farm. It took 15 minutes to get there by car. Entry fee approximately $12 per person. You are free to eat all the fruits you desired, any takeaway would be chargeable. The fruits farm had a great variety of grapes, apples, peaches and pears. They were fresh, juicy and sweet. Tools and basket were provided.

Fruit Farm Entry Fees

Free Parking at Fruit Farm

Apple Trees

Grapes

Green Grapes

Peach

Peach was very sweet and juicy

The Farm Has Super Sweet, Sweet, Sour & Super Sour Apples

Pears, but these were not allowed to pluck

(10) Date Jidaimura

After fruits diet lunch, we drove 50 minutes to Date Jidaimura, an Edo Period Japanese Theme Park. Free parking but entrance fee quite expensive, about $40 per adult. The most fun station of all was the magic ninja house. In the house, you need to walk pass obstacles, tilted room with mirrors and fake doors (to confuse intruders). Did not really enjoy this theme park as all performance and illustrations were in Japanese.

Free Parking at Date Jidaimura

Entry fee at Date Jidaimura

Ninja weapons

Date Jidaimura

Edo Period

Japanese Show

Date Jidaimura

Did not stay too long in the Theme Park, as the size was relatively small. The whole tour was finished within an hour. If you understand Japanese, you might enjoy more. We decided to have our late lunch in the Theme Park before heading off to our next destination. As usual, we tried the deserts and ramen. Standard was ok and prices were reasonable.

Spicy Ramen

Traditional Muchi

Green Tea and Milk Ice Cream

(11) Hell Valley

After late lunch at Date Jidaimura, we drove 10 minutes to Hell Valley. Free entry to Hell Valley but parking was chargeable. Two sites to visit at Hell Valley: the base and mountain top. Visitors were allowed to drive up the mountain top. Parking fee valid for 2 sites. The Hell Valley was very similar to Rotorua in New Zealand. Strangely, Hell Valley did not smell as stink as Rotorua.

Hell Valley at the Base

Hell Valley at Mountain Top

Hell Valley

Hell Valley

After being poisoned by the steam and smell, we drove about 3 hours to New Furano Prince Hotel. Arrived quite late, just in time for dinner. New Furoano Hotel was built like a self-contained holiday resort. Facilities include hot spring, walking trails, golf course, hot air balloon and many other adventurous activities. Romantic ambient at night, brightened by light bulbs all over the paths.

New Furano Prince Hotel

Trails outside New Furano Prince Hotel

Trails outside New Furano Prince Hotel

Trails outside New Furano Prince Hotel

DAY 4

The Japanese buffet breakfast at the hotel was awesome. After breakfast, we walked the surrounding trails before driving off to the next destination. First stop on the 4th day of road trip was Farm Tomita, a 30 minutes drive from New Furano Prince Hotel. On the way there, we saw rows of colorful lavender sprouting uniformly over a public park. We stopover for photo shoot. Free parking.

(12) Farm Tomita

Free parking and entrance to Farm Tomita. The farm was created by a group of like-minded young farmers, with the objective of boosting visitors rate in the areas. You only get to see these colorful lavenders during autumn period. The farm had an ice cream stall and gift shop. Lunch can be purchased at the food kiosks located outside the farm. Mainly western cuisine such as fried chicken and burgers. Tomita Farm should be included in MUST visit list if you plan to visit Hokkaido during autumn period.

Lavender Ice Cream tastes like perfume Ice Cream

Fried Chicken

Teriyaki Chicken Burger

(13) The Blue Pond

Next stop, the infamous Blue Pond, about 30 minutes drive from Farm Tormita. In reality, the pond was relatively small compared to the photo we saw. Did not take us long to finish walking the trails. Free entry and parking.

The Blue Pond

The Blue Pond

The Blue Pond

(14) Biei Shirahige Waterfall
After Blue Pond, we drove 5 minutes to a nearby waterfall. Parked at the public car park located just at the front of a hotel. Free parking.

Biei Shirahige Waterfall

Biei Shirahige Waterfall

Decided to call it a day. Drove 45 minutes to Asahikawa Grand Hotel. The hotel charged $14 per day parking fee. Got ourselves refreshed and drive straight to the Asahikawa Ramen Village for dinner.

(15) Asahikawa Ramen Village
Asahikawa Ramen Village was popular among locals and tourists. Too many choices, all restaurants claimed to serve the best ramen. We chose the one that won Top Choice Restaurant in 2016 and operates since 1946. After dinner, we went to the surrounding malls and supermarkets for shopping.

Asahikawa Ramen Village

Asahikawa Ramen Village

Miso Based Ramen

Asahikawa Ramen Village

Asahikawa Ramen Village

UNIQLO at Asahikawa was located just next to the Ramen Village. It carried mainly winter clothing for coming winter season. Prices were similar compared to UNIQLO Singapore. A supermarket was located nearby, good opportunity to shop for Japanese snacks.

UNI QLO at Asahikawa

4L Whisky in Plastic Bottle Selling at Supermarket

Bough heaps of Japanese snacks

On the way back to the hotel after dinner and shopping

DAY 5

(16) Kitahiroshima Mitsui Outlet Park Sapporo

Kitahiroshima Mitsui Outlet Park at Sapporo was located 3.3hrs drive from Asahikawa Grand Hotel. A factory outlet that sell branded goods. We decided to set off immediately after breakfast. Shop and eat, nothing else!

Kitahiroshima Mitsui Outlet Park Sapporo

Kitahiroshima Mitsui Outlet Park Sapporo

Japanese like to queue for good food too

Kitahiroshima Mitsui Outlet Park Sapporo

Kitahiroshima Mitsui Outlet Park Sapporo Food Court

Pork Rice

One of better Ramen in Hokkaido

Hapanese Donuts

Don't know what was that, but pretty good

(17) 二見吊橋 Jozankei Futami Suspension Bridge

After shopping and food at Kitahiroshima Mitsui Outlet Park Sapporo, we drove another 50 minutes to Hotel Shikanoyu at Jozankei. From the hotel, we took a 5 minutes trail walk to the Jozankei Futami Suspension Bridge, and spend another 30 minutes walking the trails along the river bank.

The God who guard the bridge and forest

Besides Jozankei Futami Suspension Bridge, we visited the temple of multiple Budda, hot springs, lake and garden. Most places of interest were walking distance from one another, except the Sapporo lake that required 10 minutes drive. Tired after a long walk, just relax at the public hot springs located along the way.

Temple with multiple budda inside the cave. Entry fee based on honesty system

Budda under the flow of hot spring

Sapporo Lake, a short distance drive from the hotel

Follow the map to see all places of interest

DAY 6(18) Shiroi Koibito Park (White Lover Park)

After breakfast, we check-out the hotel and drove 50 minutes to Shiroi Koibito Park. The infamous chocolate factory. Free parking and entry into the White Lover Park. Factory tour chargeable at about $8 per person. White Lover Park resembled the western Disney version of chocolate factory. Visitors can purchase freshly made chocolate cookies. Prices were similar to those selling elsewhere. The factory tour was quite interesting. Visitors walked through the guided path and watch the factory at work via see through windows along the walking path. A cafe that sell ice cream, cakes, cookies and coffee welcome you at the end of the tour. We decided to chill up with a chocolate ice cream, snow cheesy cake set and a mocha cup cake.

White Lover Park

Chocolate Factory

Cafe at the end of factory tour

White Lover Park

White Lover Chocolate Ice Cream

(19) Sakaimachi Street

After Chocolate Factory, we drove 30 minutes to OTARU for shopping and lunch. Parking was nightmare and expensive. The Shin Nantaru Market and Otaru canal shops were all within walking distance. Most of the gift shops sell glass wares and musical box. Desert shops everywhere. For us, we spent most of our time and money on foods and deserts!

Sakaimachi Street

Sakaimachi Street

Shops along the canal

Ramen for Lunch

Green Tea Specialty Store

How could we miss the signature green tea ice cream?

Our last stop on the 6th day of road trip - Sapporo City Centre. Drove about 40 minutes from Sakaimachi Street to Cross Hotel Sapporo, and spent our last 3 nights there.(20) Ramen Alley
After check-in the hotel, we walked to the infamous Ramen Alley for dinner. Most of the places of interest (Malls, foods & etc) were within walking distance from on another. Not all Ramen stalls were opened that day. We chose the first stall facing the main road, attracted by a poster of Anthony Bourdain. The ramen standard was ok, spoiled by many choices in Singapore.

Ramen Alley

Chose the restaurant that was visited by Anthony Bourdain

Besides the egg, the ramen was quite good

DAY 7(21) Sapporo Central Wholesale fish market

Second day in Sapporo City Centre, we walked to the Central Wholesale Fish Market from our hotel. Quite similar to the Morning Market at Hakodate but relatively small in size. Prices were comparable too. We had too much raw seafood for the past few days, so we decided to skip seafood and went for cooked dishes instead.

Sapporo Central Wholesale Fish Market

Sapporo Central Wholesale Fish Market

Sapporo Central Wholesale Fish Market

Sapporo Central Wholesale Fish Market

(22) Clock Tower
Well, nothing much to see, just appreciation of the old clock tower that was built in 1878 and became the landmark and watched over the city throughout the century.

Clock Tower

TV Tower

(23) Odori Park
Odori Park is a long strip of well manicure greenery that cut through the centre of Sapporo CBD. A popular place for locals to chilled up and relax.

Odori Park

Odori Park

(24) Tanukikoji shopping Arcade and Susukino the famous entertainment

A strip of sheltered shops that seems to go on and on endlessly. The shops sell all kinds of merchandises and services. Good experience, but you need to have strong legs to complete the tour.

(25) Sapporo JR Station

Underground shopping at its best. A short walk from our hotel, the underground shopping strip connected to most major malls, such as Diamaru, Camera Bic and many other major brands. Endless shopping...

Camera Bic, aka Akibahara in Tokyo

Camera Bic

Sappora JL Station Underground shop

Sappora JL Station Underground shop

Sappora JL Station Underground shop

Sappora JL Station Underground shop

DAY 8

(26) Lake Shikotsu Mountain Bike Tour

After 2 solid days of shopping and food, time to burn some fats. Booked a mountain bike tour at Lake Shikotsu. The price was $130 per person, include to/fro transport from hotel, mountain bike rental, helmet and glove. The drive was about 1 hour from Sapporo to Lake Shikotsu. Good value for money. Jun-sen was my ridding buddy and guide. Very experience and steady.

Jun-sen setting up the bikes

Some of the cycling paths very much similar to our PCN

Stopover at Lake Shikotsu

My riding buddy Jun-sen taking a break

Unfortunately did not meet any bear

Small village at Lake Shikotsu

Lake Shikotsu

Lake Shikotsu

Well deserve Soyu Ramen after the ride

(27) Chitose Salmon Aquarium

On the way back from Lake Shikotsu, Jun-sen decided to stopover at Chitose Salmon Aquarium. The main activity was to watch salmon swim upstream during migration season in September to October period. Quite an experience to see salmons struggled and jumped upstream along the freshwater river

Salmon swimming upstream

Aquarium Staff Catching Salmon for Breeaing

DAY 9Back to Singapore

The last day of our road trip, we check-out the hotel in the morning and returned the rental car next to Chitose Airport. Took us about 55 minutes to drive there. We returned the car at 10am, and took a courtesy bus to Chitose Domestic Airport Terminal. We depart at 1pm and arrived at Tokyo Haneda Airport at 2.40pm. As our flight back home was from Narita Airport, we took a one hour bus ride ($45 per person) from Haneda Airport to Narita Airport. At 6.10pm, we too-off from the airport and landed in Singapore at 12.35am (next day).

Thoughts

Self-drive road trip in Hokkaido is highly doable for anyone who has a valid driving license. In fact, I strongly encourage you to do so. The advantages of self-drive road trip are:

1. Relax and tour at your own pace

2. Total freedom

3. Enjoy more places of interest than tour group

4. Ability to immerse in local culture and visit places where only locals go

5. No more hard sell by tour guides and time wasting normally comes with tour agency